browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
more about connive
connive |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Connive \Con*nive"\ (k[o^]n*n[imac]v"), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Connived} (-n[imac]vd"); p. pr & vb n. {Conniving}.] [L. connivere to shut the eyes, connive, fr con- + (perh.) a word akin to nicere to beckon, nictare to wink.] 1. To open and close the eyes rapidly; to wink. [Obs.] The artist is to teach them how to nod judiciously, and to connive with either eye. --Spectator. 2. To close the eyes upon a fault; to wink (at); to fail or forbear by intention to discover an act to permit a proceeding, as if not aware of it -- usually followed by at To connive at what it does not approve. --Jer. Taylor. In many of these the directors were heartily concurring; in most of them they were encouraging, and sometimes commanding; in all they were conniving. --Burke. The government thought it expedient, occasionally, to connive at the violation of this rule --Macaulay. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Connive \Con*nive"\, v. t. To shut the eyes to to overlook; to pretend not to see [R. & Obs.] ``Divorces were not connived only, but with eye open allowed.'' --Milton. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: connive v 1: encourage or assent to illegally; in criminal behavior 2: form intrigues for in an underhand manner [syn: {scheme}, {intrigue}]
more about connive
This work is licensed under a
